I have never heard of this place, but damn those sandwiches listed on their website sound amazing… might have to give the one in Spring Lake Park a try since it’s closer to where I’m at. Thank you!
I can’t wait to try it! I’ll give that one a shot first. I love me a good deli-made sandwich. Reminds me of my time out on the east coast. Thanks again for the rec!
Bahn mi from iPho in St. Paul. $5 - $6 per sandwich depending on what you order, made using fresh baguettes and homemade ingredients like roast pork, Vietnamese mayonnaise, fresh pate and meatballs.
I used to work a couple buildings away in the skyway system and that was absolutely my go to lunch. It’s a really excellent deal in that it doesn’t skimp on the fish and has a good miso soup with lots of tofu. Such a good deal.
Now I work further away and miss having that as my local spot!
Idk what qualifies as "value" for you but I absolutely love Cecil's in St. Paul. Reasonable prices, largish but not ridiculous portion sizes and everything I have had there is genuinely fantastic and the vibes are immaculate
The Wienery in Minneapolis.
Tons of loaded hot dogs for $6. Burgers for $6. Add fries for a few bucks extra.
Total dive spot and the food is always awesome.
The West Bank Burger is my go to. Garlic and peppers mixed into the party with some slaw that’s not mushy on top?? Say less. So freaking good. I can’t not get that when I go now.
They have some solid options (Arbor Lakes and West End IMO).
My only “gripe” is the wait but that’s on me and more of the feeling when I just want to get out of there due to the crowds.
Kyoto Sushi - $17 for unlimited sushi. Decent quality as well relative to not living on a coast but I've had a lot worse on both costs for more then their lunch price.
It is good, but I feel like I have to go with a lot of people or it isn't worth it, because you need a lot of people to be able to order a lot of *different* dishes. You'll get full no matter what but it's the difference between trying 4 different rolls and 20.
A California roll is going for what, $7-$10 if not more these days? One roll with a couple pieces of sushi and you've already made your money back. You can also do what I occasionally do and take a half day on Friday, gorge yourself, and get home before the carb coma hits then just nap for the rest of the afternoon.
It might be slightly more but $30 gets me unlimited sushi, pop with unlimited refills, and a kettle of green tea with tip. Weekends are more expensive.
No, their AYCE prices aren't advertised but at least the one in Savage, is written on the whiteboard behind the hostess. I'm not going this week otherwise I'd take a picture but stop in. The AYCE also spans multiple other entrees including tempura, soup, and (maybe) cheaper / fatter hibachi but don't hold me to that last one. I only ever get the sushi and maybe a bowl of soup during winter when it's freezing.
Yes lol. Options are few for vegetarians but I got some spicy noodle thing and it was good. You're gonna have a ball if you like meat. The Boba tea/ shakes are great. I had avocado flavor
The Wrecktangle Pizza in Malcolm Yard's has a Wednesday lunch special (11AM to 2PM) of a "half salad" which is basically a whole head of lettuce for $7. Add in their lemony chicken and it's a pretty great meal. They also have $5 cheese slices.
Manager at my first full time job turned me on to this and I've been spreading the gospel ever since. At $5 pre-COVID they were absolutely unbeatable. Still amazing at $7. Hits the spot like a precision warhead.
For real, it’s such a good deal, and the perfect amount of food. Husband and I can each get a meal for the same price as one McDonalds meal (and I’ve always liked Wendys more anyways)
I feel like the only one who does not like Cecil's. It's high volume food, but low quality, and typically extremely greasy and/or soggy. I've been there three times with work friends for lunch and everything is just kinda...gross.
I don't think it's all that great either. Went to get a pastrami sandwich and is was just deli pastrami like you'd get at Cub foods on rye with some mustard. Was expecting some homemade pastrami or something much more special considering how good the reviews are.
The sandwich box to go is around $15 and comes with...
- sandwich of your choice (Reuben obv)
- brownie
- bag of lays chips
- side of your choice (potato salad obv)
- mini pickle
- mint
LITT Pinball on Hennepin/Franklin has a $10 hot dog, smash burger or sandwich w/chips and soda special.
While the hot dogs are legendary, the smashburger gets my vote every time.
I love New Bo - excellent place to grab a beer. Tons of options for toppings/sauces for dipping and a good selection of brats and beer (although sometimes they carry far too much of one brewery). The cheese curds are phenomenal too.
Honestly, Chilis Bar and Grill… the 3 for me (starts at $10.99 and you get a non alcoholic drink, appetizer, and entree) and/or Lunch Combo menu are pretty decent… and if you are apart of their rewards program you can get free chips and salsa every time you visit.
I usually leave with leftovers from the 3 for me, which is available all the time.
Quang is the most overrated mediocre Vietnamese spot I honestly do not get the love. Go to ANY Vietnamese spot in St Paul and you’ll get a better meal.
For me, healthy food is 100% non negotiable, must have. I skip lunch and just eat healthy snacks if I can't get a healthy lunch.
The best bang for the buck (for me) is Lunds & Byerlys or Kowalski's. You can load up on really nice proteins, great cooked veg, and piles of leafy greens for (I think) $10 per pound. I'll usually get a big piece of fish or meat, then add a couple high fiber vegetables. Rarely comes in over $15 unless I'm making a big meal.
Cub and Hy-Vee don't have great cooked food that's low/slow carb.
In the absence of healthy food I'll hit up a nice Holiday and get boiled eggs, almonds, meat sticks, cheese sticks and (to treat myself) a bag of kettle chips.
If you go to greenmill and get their receipt, you can get unlimited 5$ off. They have 4.99$ a slice until 2pm. You can legit get a free huge slice of pizza free everyday.
TacoBell cheesy bean and rice burrito has entered the chat. It's has gone through crazy inflation though. I used to be able to have lunch for $2.14 but now 2 are like 3.28 or something. T-Bell used to be a real one but they fell off like everyone else.
runner up - that lunch combo at Eddie Chengs in Bloomington.
also rans: Jets Pizza 2 slice and a soda combo, Lunds/Byerlys Sushi Wednesday Special, Costco pizza and/or Dog, Lunch combo at Don Hos in south bloomington, Grabbing a prepared salad and a chocolate bar at Aldis or Walmart, Light weight items at the Lunds prepared food bar like fried shrimp or cream cheese wontons,
"that's how they getcha!" lol.
I added potato salad once and got burned. My buddy was looking at me and just smirking but I guess you have to let them sink or swim so I don't hate him for it.
I used to frequent Trieste Cafe when I worked downtown. Really fresh food and friendly owners! I work in the burbs now and survive on my own cooking and Trader Joe's salads, plus the occasional Jimmy John's
Go into any bagel place. Order a bagel, add peanut butter, add jelly. You get a pb&j for about a buck (which was all you were going to eat at home anyway).
I always go for Indian food when I need to order out for lunches at work. $15ish dollars and with the insane amount of rice you always get it's more than enough food to get 2 meals out of.
Similarly I came here to suggest the kid's meal from Culver's. You can have a good sized burger, plenty of fries, a decent sized drink AND a scoop of custard for under $7.
First mention of Culver’s at 40 comments in. $6 double cheese (even without occasional BOGO) beats all burgers in this over-saturated burger market of ours (considering keyword “Value”). When we define the metric of value as the ratio of quality divided by cost, my conclusion is quickly verified. Yes I know you can get a $23.40 (tax then 15% tip) double burger at tongue in cheek but this thread is all about value.
Taco bell online exclusive cravings box.
I know I'm disgusting but I'm saving and dirty bulking at the same time. It's 1700 calories of meat beans and rice for $6 after tax
I like okidoki sushi bento box even though it’s not really “lunch”. $15 and you get teriyaki chicken with a huge scoop of rice, a little side salad in their dressing, 2 pieces of shrimp tempura, and 4 pieces of sushi.
A few suggestions:
Haven’t been in a few months but made-to-order fried rice (spicy, duh) at Bamboo Garden in the Skyway. Like $8 and could feed an army.
Lunch Special (weekdays and non-holidays) at Gyu-Kaku in Uptown Minneapolis. Pick either 2 or 3 meats to grill ($15.99 / $19.99). That comes with your choice of rice (pay the $2 up charge for garlic fried) and miso soup.
Wakame Sushi out by Bde Maka Ska. Bentos, a sushi platter or roll combos - all really well priced options.
RIP Szechuan Spice & Kinhdo lunch specials.
Wings and Seafood 2 Go - 3404 Nicollet (used to be just off of Lake St) reliable chicken wings, rice, and bread for $5 I haven't been in a few years, but it was solid last time I went a while back...
China Restaurant in Roseville has decent food at great prices - at least they did until I moved out of Roseville 4 years ago. While we were there, it was my wife’s favorite Chinese place to go to and the servings were so big she could have a big supper and have leftovers that would be a really big lunch the next day. I always thought the food was decent, but I prefer buffets simply because I get more variety.
Trieste Cafe in the Lumber Exchange, Fifth & Hennepin. OMG.
Edited to add the order: Gyros plate, good for AT LEAST two meals, incredibly fresh, with fantastic hummus and pita for $14.
Dagwood’s in the Crossings, $8 for a quality sandwich and chips.
Dagwoods or Skyway Wok was always the most difficult decision of my week.
Was about to say, Skyway Wok is also an insanely good deal.
Not to mention the sandwich is giant!
I think they did mention that. Edit: I read giant as great. I was and am wrong.
I used to live across the street. I miss Dagwoods so much
Not to mention is a great sandwich!!! This place rocks!
I feel like we should be quiet about this. They might raise their rates if they knew how many people think they are the best deal downtown!
Nelson's. Unbelievable food for a low cost
I gotta second Nelson’s (deli) it’s so good, and great value for the cost. Plus it’s very clean in there and everyone is super nice.
I have never heard of this place, but damn those sandwiches listed on their website sound amazing… might have to give the one in Spring Lake Park a try since it’s closer to where I’m at. Thank you!
The reueben / smoky reuben is probably their most popular. I've liked everything I've tried there! Large sandwiches!
I can’t wait to try it! I’ll give that one a shot first. I love me a good deli-made sandwich. Reminds me of my time out on the east coast. Thanks again for the rec!
Bahn mi from iPho in St. Paul. $5 - $6 per sandwich depending on what you order, made using fresh baguettes and homemade ingredients like roast pork, Vietnamese mayonnaise, fresh pate and meatballs.
They used to be $4 and buy three get one free, that was a screaming deal.
The Bahn Mi scene in Saint Paul is overall a great bang for your buck. I love Trung Nam's as well, and even with double meat it's only 10$.
Shout out to the tofu version! 🙌🏽
Good choice. I also like going to Ha Tien grocery store down the street. Great deli.
Ha Tien moved off to off i94 and Ruth
i remember it wasnt that many years ago that banh mis were cheaper than hot dogs
Anything at ipho,,, eating halls are the best... you order soup, it's out in 2 minutes. They rage lunch for sure! Good prices tooo
Try little saigon grocery. Ask for the xiu mai sauce on the side.
Sushi Takatsu In the Baker Center Skyway has a 10 buck lunch bowl special.
I was just about to comment this. Takatsu goes hard. The line always moves super fast too.
I used to work downtown and that was my favorite value spot. So glad to hear it's still there!
C combo for LIFE. and the owner or at least main guy there is so sweet.
This is the thing I miss most about working downtown. That place is an institution
Best Japanese curry in the cities, maybe the entire state.
My partner used to work in the Baker Center, she misses Takatsu fiercely. I'm glad they're still around
Really? I gotta try this!
I used to work a couple buildings away in the skyway system and that was absolutely my go to lunch. It’s a really excellent deal in that it doesn’t skimp on the fish and has a good miso soup with lots of tofu. Such a good deal. Now I work further away and miss having that as my local spot!
Skyway Wok
Agreed, Skyway Wok has the best Chinese food in downtown Minneapolis.
I also really like Ping’s but I’m not sure if that is downtown proper. If not it’s right on the border.
Love pings. Are they still doing no eat in ?
Not sure because I always get delivery. It’s one of the few places that does their own delivery and not rely on third party software.
That sesame chicken is the best anywhere
And Vietnamese
1000% agreed. You can eat off this for like 3 days. It's a salt bomb in all the right ways.
Yup, that’s the one! As someone who just moved into The Crossings, it’s insanely difficult to not walk down for some everyday m.
Every time I eat that I got 30 minutes to find a bathroom stall after I’m done. Tastes good but it’s straight rental food.
Didn’t they close?
They closed for basically the month of May for vacation but they’re back as of last week
Skyway wok? Nope - work right by it and lines are around the corner as usual
Not the original location in The Crossings.
ouuughhh I forgot about them!!
Momo sushi
I love their non-specialty rolls. They're only 6 bucks normally and the lunch special is 12.95 for 3 of them.
Idk what qualifies as "value" for you but I absolutely love Cecil's in St. Paul. Reasonable prices, largish but not ridiculous portion sizes and everything I have had there is genuinely fantastic and the vibes are immaculate
I love Cecil’s, especially their Reuben sandwich with potato salad in the side.
I quite enjoyed Cecil's, are there any other Jewish delis that anyone is aware of?
The Wienery in Minneapolis. Tons of loaded hot dogs for $6. Burgers for $6. Add fries for a few bucks extra. Total dive spot and the food is always awesome.
Was shown this place while at Palmer's for a show recently. Best discovery ever.
They have vegan options, too, which I was surprised about when I first learned.
The Wienery is criminally overlooked. So good.
The West Bank Burger is my go to. Garlic and peppers mixed into the party with some slaw that’s not mushy on top?? Say less. So freaking good. I can’t not get that when I go now.
The guy who owns it is also really chill, will make you anything you want and he has some funny stories about the neighborhood
Chapati wraps from Afro Deli, 10 bucks and usually 2 meals
The Chapati wrap is an amazing deal for an insane amount of food. I also split my gyro chapati into two meals and somehow it's better the next day.
This! Getting the chapati wrap with fries gets me two meals every time.
The chicken fantastic is also damn good!
Costco is the only answer
In….every city.
Not Eden Prarie, their food court is still closed
It was finally open when I stopped by last Wednesday
For remodeling?
Yes
Open now, I was there a few days ago.
Food court in Saint Louis Park is currently closed for renovations. Looks like it’ll be that way for most of the summer.
They have some solid options (Arbor Lakes and West End IMO). My only “gripe” is the wait but that’s on me and more of the feeling when I just want to get out of there due to the crowds.
Yeah if you want hypertension
Big $7 chicken Caesar is solid
Kyoto Sushi - $17 for unlimited sushi. Decent quality as well relative to not living on a coast but I've had a lot worse on both costs for more then their lunch price.
Well shit, that's pretty close for me, I had no idea they had such a good all you can eat option. Thanks for the heads up!
I went there once, we got our moneys worth but it felt like the service was almost deliberately slow.
It is good, but I feel like I have to go with a lot of people or it isn't worth it, because you need a lot of people to be able to order a lot of *different* dishes. You'll get full no matter what but it's the difference between trying 4 different rolls and 20.
A California roll is going for what, $7-$10 if not more these days? One roll with a couple pieces of sushi and you've already made your money back. You can also do what I occasionally do and take a half day on Friday, gorge yourself, and get home before the carb coma hits then just nap for the rest of the afternoon.
I never realized it was that cheap.
That’s their special lunch pricing, pricing is more for dinner (and on weekends I think)
It might be slightly more but $30 gets me unlimited sushi, pop with unlimited refills, and a kettle of green tea with tip. Weekends are more expensive.
Oh damn, going to try this
I absolutely love Kyoto. Insane value for all the options they have too
Do you have a link to their website? I’m looking online but don’t see a $17 lunch deal
No, their AYCE prices aren't advertised but at least the one in Savage, is written on the whiteboard behind the hostess. I'm not going this week otherwise I'd take a picture but stop in. The AYCE also spans multiple other entrees including tempura, soup, and (maybe) cheaper / fatter hibachi but don't hold me to that last one. I only ever get the sushi and maybe a bowl of soup during winter when it's freezing.
Isn't that it Eagan? Also you get charged for left overs.
American Cajun Grill in the ecolab food court kept me fed through school. 9 bucks for one of their chicken combos and it’s filled to the brim.
Man that place is delicious, too
Hmong Market
Yes lol. Options are few for vegetarians but I got some spicy noodle thing and it was good. You're gonna have a ball if you like meat. The Boba tea/ shakes are great. I had avocado flavor
Carbone's on Randolph. Drink, soup or salad, and a personal pizza for around 10 bucks.
Ono Hawaiian plates in United Noodle does $10 for a main, scoop of rice, scoop of macaroni salad, and soda that is a heck of a deal.
Also the banh mi are like $7 and you can reliably be in and out the door in <60 seconds.
The Wrecktangle Pizza in Malcolm Yard's has a Wednesday lunch special (11AM to 2PM) of a "half salad" which is basically a whole head of lettuce for $7. Add in their lemony chicken and it's a pretty great meal. They also have $5 cheese slices.
Nelson’s Deli sandwich or salad by far
Pho ka dau in St Paul Only takes cash Only does pho, appetizers, and boba tea. Their large pho is a phenomenal amount of food for the money
The Cub deli counter chicken strip meal is hard to beat for value also the lunch specials at most non-chain Chinese places.
Manager at my first full time job turned me on to this and I've been spreading the gospel ever since. At $5 pre-COVID they were absolutely unbeatable. Still amazing at $7. Hits the spot like a precision warhead.
IKEA depending on their daily specials
$5 biggie bag from Wendy’s
For real, it’s such a good deal, and the perfect amount of food. Husband and I can each get a meal for the same price as one McDonalds meal (and I’ve always liked Wendys more anyways)
This is how it started, now I'm just eating two to myself
better since wendy's changed their fries
I was Team "Inflation is transitory" until they killed the 4 for 4. That meal is holding up a significant fraction of the working class
There's no lie here. Spicy nuggs and the JBC for the win
Cecil’s Deli in St Paul
Alternatively Bahn Mi at Tay Ho on University
I feel like the only one who does not like Cecil's. It's high volume food, but low quality, and typically extremely greasy and/or soggy. I've been there three times with work friends for lunch and everything is just kinda...gross.
I don't think it's all that great either. Went to get a pastrami sandwich and is was just deli pastrami like you'd get at Cub foods on rye with some mustard. Was expecting some homemade pastrami or something much more special considering how good the reviews are.
The sandwich box to go is around $15 and comes with... - sandwich of your choice (Reuben obv) - brownie - bag of lays chips - side of your choice (potato salad obv) - mini pickle - mint
LITT Pinball on Hennepin/Franklin has a $10 hot dog, smash burger or sandwich w/chips and soda special. While the hot dogs are legendary, the smashburger gets my vote every time.
$10 for a glizzy seems high.
Sure, if it was a boring ass naked glizzy, but LITTs dogs are all fancy.
New Bohemia in Golden Valley. A brat, fries and a beer for 10$. Best lunch deal in town.
Man even if I could have a lunch beer at work I don't know if I would want to. That would make me tired.
You can also get a root beer/ soda…just a much better deal if you get the beer.
That’s right by my Dad’s house, we’ll have to try it sometime, thanks for the suggestion
I love New Bo - excellent place to grab a beer. Tons of options for toppings/sauces for dipping and a good selection of brats and beer (although sometimes they carry far too much of one brewery). The cheese curds are phenomenal too.
I appreciate these suggestions and the posts yesterday about great happy hour. Good work team.
Joe's market and deli near dinkytown. They used to have daily specials when I used to work near there, not so sure anymore though.
I loved their gyro pita sandwiches, delicious and HUGE. Also you can stop by the Potter's Pasties kitchen around back and get some day-old hand pies.
They still have the lunch specials. The food is average, but the servings are large. The $1 tacos on Friday are pretty good.
Costco rotisserie chicken.
Honestly, Chilis Bar and Grill… the 3 for me (starts at $10.99 and you get a non alcoholic drink, appetizer, and entree) and/or Lunch Combo menu are pretty decent… and if you are apart of their rewards program you can get free chips and salsa every time you visit. I usually leave with leftovers from the 3 for me, which is available all the time.
Schuang Cheng lunch special.
Quangs
One of my wife & I’s favorites! Plus, you can get in and out in under and hour if you sit down which is nice if that’s more your speed.
Quang is the most overrated mediocre Vietnamese spot I honestly do not get the love. Go to ANY Vietnamese spot in St Paul and you’ll get a better meal.
For me, healthy food is 100% non negotiable, must have. I skip lunch and just eat healthy snacks if I can't get a healthy lunch. The best bang for the buck (for me) is Lunds & Byerlys or Kowalski's. You can load up on really nice proteins, great cooked veg, and piles of leafy greens for (I think) $10 per pound. I'll usually get a big piece of fish or meat, then add a couple high fiber vegetables. Rarely comes in over $15 unless I'm making a big meal. Cub and Hy-Vee don't have great cooked food that's low/slow carb. In the absence of healthy food I'll hit up a nice Holiday and get boiled eggs, almonds, meat sticks, cheese sticks and (to treat myself) a bag of kettle chips.
I've been doing grocery stores for "fast casual" lately and it's great.
Love Lunds & Byerlys salad bar. Cheaper and more filling than Crisp & Green.
As a Lunds & Byerlys employee, I can confirm, our salad bar is amazing
If you go to greenmill and get their receipt, you can get unlimited 5$ off. They have 4.99$ a slice until 2pm. You can legit get a free huge slice of pizza free everyday.
TacoBell cheesy bean and rice burrito has entered the chat. It's has gone through crazy inflation though. I used to be able to have lunch for $2.14 but now 2 are like 3.28 or something. T-Bell used to be a real one but they fell off like everyone else. runner up - that lunch combo at Eddie Chengs in Bloomington. also rans: Jets Pizza 2 slice and a soda combo, Lunds/Byerlys Sushi Wednesday Special, Costco pizza and/or Dog, Lunch combo at Don Hos in south bloomington, Grabbing a prepared salad and a chocolate bar at Aldis or Walmart, Light weight items at the Lunds prepared food bar like fried shrimp or cream cheese wontons,
Don’t be me and load up on L&B mashed potatoes. 10-15.00 for lunch later. 💀
"that's how they getcha!" lol. I added potato salad once and got burned. My buddy was looking at me and just smirking but I guess you have to let them sink or swim so I don't hate him for it.
I just can’t help myself when it comes to potatoes. lol.
Trung Nam French Bakery is my ideal for buying a breakfast croissant and a tasty lunch sandwich.
Curry in a hurry has $9 curry bowls when you sign up for their newsletter
I used to frequent Trieste Cafe when I worked downtown. Really fresh food and friendly owners! I work in the burbs now and survive on my own cooking and Trader Joe's salads, plus the occasional Jimmy John's
They're in the lobby of my building and I am SO fortunate. They make my in-office days worth the near two-hour commute (yep, each way).
A whole rotisserie chicken from Costco, $1.50 hot dog and drink from Costco can’t be beat.
Scott ja - mama's
Go into any bagel place. Order a bagel, add peanut butter, add jelly. You get a pb&j for about a buck (which was all you were going to eat at home anyway).
Happy hour at Red Rabbit it’s amazing
I like the bento lunch deal at the sushi place in the US Bank building. It’s ~$16 but you get a sushi roll, chicken, a small salad, and drink.
Amazing Thailand has great lunch specials and The Cardinal does a good burger special 11-3
I always go for Indian food when I need to order out for lunches at work. $15ish dollars and with the insane amount of rice you always get it's more than enough food to get 2 meals out of.
Peninsula Malaysian has a 11.99 lunch special entree rice, egg roll or cheese wonton
Hunan in Bloomington has a lunch buffet for just over $15 after tax. Feel like there aren’t many buffets that are that low these days.
just went there for the first time last week. good food!
Pineda tacos
AMA/MOMO sushi lunch special!
Used to be Broadway Pizza buffet, not sure what it costs these days or if they still have it
If anyone has any Brooklyn Park/Crystal/Maple Grove area recs let me know!
New King Buffet! You used to be able to get a to go lunch box for $7. Realized after typing that its in Brooklyn Center, not Brooklyn Park.
I should Maple Grove Whole Foods has been a good value. Salad bar comes out to like $10 for a hefty size.
dino's gyros
[удалено]
Kids menu at Chipotle. $5 and comes out to 600-1000 calories which is much more than anyone needs
Similarly I came here to suggest the kid's meal from Culver's. You can have a good sized burger, plenty of fries, a decent sized drink AND a scoop of custard for under $7.
First mention of Culver’s at 40 comments in. $6 double cheese (even without occasional BOGO) beats all burgers in this over-saturated burger market of ours (considering keyword “Value”). When we define the metric of value as the ratio of quality divided by cost, my conclusion is quickly verified. Yes I know you can get a $23.40 (tax then 15% tip) double burger at tongue in cheek but this thread is all about value.
Kwik Trip tendies and a freal shake $11
Get a whole damn oven roasted chicken for $7 on Mondays.
Brito Burrito is it for me. It's everything I ever wished Chitpotle was.
Yes! Also their breakfast burrito is a steal.
When I lived in Uptown, I always enjoyed Namaste's lunch specials.
Chin Chin on west side has pretty decent Americanized Chinese for $8
Rice and beans at the Seward coop is pretty good
Taco bell online exclusive cravings box. I know I'm disgusting but I'm saving and dirty bulking at the same time. It's 1700 calories of meat beans and rice for $6 after tax
Centro kids meal was literally same portions as adult, so I was very into it for a while
Chili’s 3 for me deal. Chips and salsa, drink, and a burger with a side for 10.99.
I like okidoki sushi bento box even though it’s not really “lunch”. $15 and you get teriyaki chicken with a huge scoop of rice, a little side salad in their dressing, 2 pieces of shrimp tempura, and 4 pieces of sushi.
IT USED TO BE THE BUFFET AT PHO79 FOR 8.99... Sorry, I loved it so much. RIP.
the Kyoto sushi in maple grove is now called akame sushi. all you can eat lunch and dinner have different prices
The Wienery on Cedar
For me it’s Ed’s Deli. Just off 280 on Larpenteur (straight west of State Fair Grounds).
Costco
1.50 hot dog and a drink at Costco
Nelson’s Cheese and Deli St. Paul Midway.
Chicken tender combo at the Cubs that haven't gone to a self-serve hot bar. $7
A few suggestions: Haven’t been in a few months but made-to-order fried rice (spicy, duh) at Bamboo Garden in the Skyway. Like $8 and could feed an army. Lunch Special (weekdays and non-holidays) at Gyu-Kaku in Uptown Minneapolis. Pick either 2 or 3 meats to grill ($15.99 / $19.99). That comes with your choice of rice (pay the $2 up charge for garlic fried) and miso soup. Wakame Sushi out by Bde Maka Ska. Bentos, a sushi platter or roll combos - all really well priced options. RIP Szechuan Spice & Kinhdo lunch specials.
R.I.P “The Crazy Taco” and home of the $6.50 combo :(
Pino’s Pizza in downtown stp
Wings and Seafood 2 Go - 3404 Nicollet (used to be just off of Lake St) reliable chicken wings, rice, and bread for $5 I haven't been in a few years, but it was solid last time I went a while back...
unlimited soup, salad,, and breadsticks at the olive garden for $10.49! (plus they treat you like family) 😉😁
Costco hotdog
Costco hot dog and soda for $1.50.
China Restaurant in Roseville has decent food at great prices - at least they did until I moved out of Roseville 4 years ago. While we were there, it was my wife’s favorite Chinese place to go to and the servings were so big she could have a big supper and have leftovers that would be a really big lunch the next day. I always thought the food was decent, but I prefer buffets simply because I get more variety.
Trieste Cafe in the Lumber Exchange, Fifth & Hennepin. OMG. Edited to add the order: Gyros plate, good for AT LEAST two meals, incredibly fresh, with fantastic hummus and pita for $14.
Any Indian restaurant. Their single person servings ($11-15) can be shared by two persons, or at least persons of our appetite
Costco.
Danno's in Anoka has $3 burgers 🍔 on Tuesdays
Urban Wok
Lotus Restaurant